Themed Breaks in Beautiful, Spacious House with Pool/Tennis Court

French House Party details

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Rear pool terrace

Front view of house

Back of house and pool

Creative Writers on Tennis Court terrace

Ceramics class

Creative Writers at work

Home description

French House Party

Discuss the merits of "The Da Vinci Code" .... Try out acting .... Join a Creative Writing course in France .... Learn the art of digital movie-making ... Brush up your painting or textile embroidery artistry  .... Make a ceramic pot ... Get fit in the sun ... Play golf at a different course every day.  And do it in style at a elegant country South France property where you can enjoy tennis on our court, cool off in the lovely swimming pool (exclusive to guests), play boules on our own boule-drome or maybe cycle or walk along the banks of the nearby Canal du Midi.

At Domaine St. Raymond, near Carcassonne in South-West France, the French House Experience offers five-day holidays for groups (seven days for Movie-making) combining the creative arts course of your choice with additional time for fun, relaxation and exploration of this beautiful region in the Languedoc Roussillon. And we also offer guided wine-tasting trips here inside the biggest vineyard in the world - where more wine is produced annually than in Australia!

In the house and grounds, guests can enjoy their holiday wallowing in the arts, whether as part of a book club, drama group, film-making workshop, a textile art, creative writing or painting class. Or for something more active, try our Golf and Gourmet, Tennis or Fitness France breaks.

Tailor-made Corporate Breaks a speciality.

Accommodation detail

Living room area

Dining room area

Cheers - welcome, come and join us

Landscape with tennis court

Painter

Pool terrace

Bedroom

Smile - you're in France!

Bedroom

Bedroom

Pool terrace

Tennis court

Front of house staff

Film-making Course

Corporate and Team Building Breaks

Pre-Wedding breaks

Textile art course

Creative Writing Course

Golf and Gourmet

Creative Art Course

Books and Drama Course

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Smart, roomy bedrooms are double or triple-sized and air-conditioned. All bedrooms have en-suite shower or bathroom facilities.  Each room has a hairdryer and CD player.

Breakfast,  lunch and dinner provided daily and on one nights we take guests for a sumptious dinner at a selected restaurant. Wine is included in the price for all evening and lunchtime meals. We also include an in-house wine-tasting of local varieties with our own expert.

With an optimum of ten guests per weekend (16 from summer 2009 - bedrooms listed below are the five available until this date),  there is a houseparty atmosphere which promises the formation of new friendships or cementing of old ones. 

Ground floor:

Open-plan living space has an Art Deco design, with floor-to-ceiling arched windows, a central, glassed-in staircase and indoor plants and trees which reach almost to the roof.  There is a pool-table and a classic 1950s juke-box for those who hanker after the Beatles, Elvis and Chuck Berry.

• Dining area - a galleried landing running around the perimeter of the first floor overlooks the raised dining area. Double glass doors at the rear open into the pool and its surrounding areas.
• Sitting area - has comfortable sofas and an open fireplace for log fires, plus a fridge for guests to help themselves to complimentary soft drinks during the day.
• Kitchen - large, bright and airy, the houseparty kitchen has plenty of storage space, electric oven and hob, a dishwasher, microwave and two refrigeration/deep-freeze units, together with a corner breakfast-bar. 
• Bedroom one (The Terrace Room) - Bedroom on the ground floor (making it suitable for anyone who has difficulty in climbing stairs), this room contains a king-sized bed, en suite shower room and air-conditioning unit. The toilet is situated next to the bedroom. 
• Bedroom two - Twin bedroom on the ground floor. En suite bathroom. Air conditioning unit.

First floor:

• Bedroom three (The Custard Cream Room) - This bedroom contains twin beds, en suite shower and toilet and air-conditioning unit. 
• Bedroom four (The Lavender Room) - This room contains two single beds and en suite shower room with loo. One wall is constructed entirely of glass, an arched window creating a striking effect with a view of the swimming pool. Air-conditioning.
• Bedroom five (The Blue Room) - This room contains a double bed and a single bed and en suite shower / toilet room. Air conditioning. 
• Bedroom six (The Olive Room) - This bedroom has a king-sized bed and offers splendid views across the surrounding fields to the Pyrenees. It has a bathroom (with bath, shower and toilet) and Air conditioning.
• Bedroom seven -  Twin room overlooking the garden. French doors to balcony.  En suite and air-conditioning unit.
• Bedroom eight - Twin room overlooking the garden. French doors to balcony. En suite and air-conditioning unit.

Outside:

The large pool is set in paved and grassed surrounds. A covered barbecue and outdoor dining area occupies the far end.

There is also a tennis court with a spacious terrace overlooking the sunflower fields plus a covered table-tennis and games area. There is also a newly-constructed boules court.

Bikes are available for guests' use (at their own risk).

About the location

Help and advice can be given if guests require visits to La Cite at Carcassonne or to the castle sites of Cathar resistance. Also Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Adventure park, Billiards, Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Caving, Ceramics, Cycling, Drawing and painting, Fishing, Go karting, Golf, Gourmet dining, Gym, Hiking, Horse riding, Mountain biking, Photography, Pottery, Rambling, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tai Chi, Tennis, Tree adventure park, Walking, White water rafting, Wine tasting, Wine touring, Yoga

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

• 20 minutes from Carcassonne airport and 45 minutes from Toulouse.
• Transfers from both of these airports are included in the all-inclusive price of our courses.
• Both French cities can be reached in less than two hours by air from the UK.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.